Norway and the Republic of Moldova signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to expand cooperation in the energy sector, with the idea of securing the energy supply of the Republic of Moldova, a country that is trying to end its traditional dependence on Russia, reports Reuters.

The memorandum aims to “promote and intensify cooperation in the energy sector, including in terms of energy transition and energy security, as well as to encourage new investments in the energy sector”.

Signed in Oslo by the Norwegian Minister of Energy, Terje Aasland, and his Moldovan counterpart, Victor Parlicov, on the occasion of a two-day visit by President Maia Sandu, the agreement covers both governmental and private sector cooperation, according to Agerpres.

One of the poorest countries in Europe, the Republic of Moldova is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Instead, Norway became Europe’s most important supplier of natural gas, after the reduction of Russian gas supplies.

Norway also provides financial support to the Republic of Moldova, through its multi-billion dollar aid program to Ukraine, which also included 400 million crowns ($36.87 million) for the purchase of gas in 2023.

Even if the agreement signed on Tuesday mentions the security of gas supply as one of the areas of interest, the main focus is on renewable energy, electrification and cyber security.

The Republic of Moldova has already increased the share occupied by renewable sources in electricity consumption up to 10.5% in 2023, from 3.6% in 2021, thanks to the production of electricity provided by photovoltaic and wind power plants, official data show.